Since late 1940, after Italy joined the war on the side of the Axis on June 10
that year, both sides had waged military offensives in the Western Desert
with varying degrees of success. Egypt was a vital cog in Britain’s war
effort, described by John Connell as “the fulcrum of the British Empire.”1
Egypt protected the sources of oil in the Middle East and its route to the
United Kingdom. It was a center of communications for the far-flung
parts of the Empire “east of Suez” and a critical base for naval operations
in the Mediterranean. For these reasons, Egypt became the largest British military base outside of the United Kingdom. It was a vital, strategic
asset. But, after June 1940, one of Britain’s Axis enemies was just across
the border in Libya with a huge military force. Italian forces in Libya,
under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, numbered 250,000 organized into two
armies and fourteen divisions. British forces in Egypt under General
Sir Archibald Wavell had just 36,000 men and consisted primarily of an
understrength armored and two infantry divisions. The Western Desert
Force, as these were called—there were not yet enough assets to form
a corps or an army—was short of much essential equipment including
artillery, tanks, transport, and logistical support.

Given their overwhelming force, it was natural that the Italians
should strike first. They took some time doing so, though. It was not
until September 13 that the Italians crossed the border and began a slow,
ponderous advance into Egypt. After four days, all the time harassed by
artillery fire, minefields, and bombed by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the
Italians reached Sidi Barrani, just sixty-five miles into Egypt. There they
halted, dug in, and planned their next moves.

Notes for this page

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.comPublication information:
Book title: The Battle for North Africa: El Alamein and the Turning Point for World War II.
Contributors: Glyn Harper - Author.
Publisher: Indiana University Press.
Place of publication: Bloomington, IN.
Publication year: 2017.
Page number: 8.

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